DOGE promised to cut federal spending. But a new report shows $9.5 billion was spent paying workers not to work: ‘Most expensive way imaginable’

A Government Accountability Office report issued Tuesday estimated 2025 salary costs for paid administrative leave at $9.5 billion. The office described that total as six times higher than the amount recorded in 2023.

According to Mediaite, payroll records reviewed by the GAO showed agencies using paid administrative leave 435 percent more often in 2025 than in 2023. The report pointed to deferred resignation arrangements as a major reason for the rise.